crisis averted

For now, at least, it looks like we successfully eradicated Doozy’s emerging skin funk outbreak, whew! Recall I wrote two weeks ago about some early signs of rain rot, including hives and little scabs, bleh…

already a steamy biscuit before we even ride….

Naturally Doozy would try to go bald right before our big show LOL, it’s almost like this horse just *does not want* to be pretty in public haha(sob). Fortunately, tho, it seems like the chlorhexidine rinses cleared things up pretty quickly!

little bald spots prove there WAS some sort of dermatitis infection, but we successfully stopped the spread, whew!

The treatment was: first, bathing with diluted chlorhex, then a day later, a light gloss of MTG over all the likely hot spots. Then for most of the next few days (tho not exactly every day), more rinsing with the diluted chlorhex. Plus plenty of currying to try to rid Doozy’s coat of as much loose hairs as possible. 

bleh she’s got some crud down the backs of her hind legs now, tho

And it seems to have done the trick, at least on the bulk of her body and flanks, etc. Everything is squeaky clean and smooth, for now. Aside from obviously the bug bites and sweaty crusts from all the humidity, bleh. Oh, and another little patch of funk that’s blossoming down her hind legs. It’s always something, amirite? 

Just when you think you’re getting the *whole horse* with whatever treatment tinctures and tonics you’re applying… something crops up in yet another spot.

not gonna argue about the ick tho when the grass is still growing!

Ah well, it’s a good reminder to not get complacent bc with all the rain we’ve been having, presumably there will be more hives still yet to come. Doozy’s moss-like rain rot outbreak last year lasted well through August, so we aren’t exactly out of the woods in that regard yet.

will complain about still needing to ride indoors bc the outdoor arena is too soggy tho

It’s all good, tho. Grooming is one of my favorite horsey activities. And especially with all the heat and humidity and rain, plus with taking it a little easy resting on our laurels after Doozy’s excellent* (*except on paper lol) outing at Loch Moy, it’s been nice to just kinda chill out and enjoy each other’s company.

except… we did a little recon this weekend and decided this paddock will be perfect for outdoor rides (when not already in use for turn out). it’s where the most grass sensitive horses go, too, so presumably won’t be an issue if we leave a few tracks

We’ve done a little hacking here and there, and obvi a few flat schools too… But ugh I am really so tired of riding in the stuffy dusty indoor rings!

Again, I’m grateful to have the option. And also appreciative of having more freedom in those spaces recently — the bustling lesson program’s head trainer moved on earlier this summer, rendering ring traffic suddenly a nonissue!

doesn’t this look pleasantly grass ring-esque??
this might actually be the broadest expanse of flattish ground on the whole farm haha

But I’d still much rather ride outside, all things being equal. Tho we may start experimenting with schooling in the grassy paddocks on occasion. At least, when they don’t have horses in them lol — so probably not on weeknights.

Could be a win-win, too, bc it may help Doozy get more confident and balanced doing proper flat work on (gentle) terrain. I suspect that part of our issues earlier this year at Thornridge and St Augustine related to Doozy feeling increasingly tense in grass warm up fields when she wasn’t super confident in her balance / the footing.

looking forward to a cooler week ahead

The paddocks also have the advantage of maybe feeling quasi-ring-like, since they’re fenced. And ya know. It’s something different. Who doesn’t love a little variety every now and again? 

Right now the forecast looks like maybe more rain right in time for the outdoor arena to have fully dried LOL(sob), so a little creativity may be in order haha.

make good choices out there!

We’ll see, haha. It’s probably still another quiet week ahead of us, a nice little breather. Doozy gets her feet done today — she’s desperately due after only just 4 weeks, another consequence of the frequent rain and growing grass! 

And we’ll probably try to sneak in a lesson at some point (fingers crossed!). But mostly we’re just gonna hang out in cruise control before I leave town for a few days next week. And maybe the outdoor ring will have dried up by the time I get home again…? A girl can dream haha…